Wrightbus unveils their open top bus

Below are some short articles from the Route One website. In the first article they are reporting that Wrightbus has unveiled their open top bus design which is aimed at Tour bus companies.

From Route One

Wrightbus is currently building a new bespoke open-topper for a yet-to-be-named UK customer.

To be used on tourist sightseeing, it is on Volvo’s B5 chassis and the structure has been redesigned to account for the open-top section. The front section also has two opening sunroofs.

To provide a glazed section in place of the thick A-pillar on the top deck, the frontal structure has been redesigned.

Good news and bad news for First Scotland East

First off, the good news is that First Bus in West Lothian is to invest £4.1 million for 19 new low emission buses.

From First Bus press release

More new buses set for West Lothian!

We are delighted to announce details of another significant order for new vehicles for our West Lothian Network. We're investing £4.1m in 19 new buses.

Our latest order brings our total investment in West Lothian to £8m since 2014. Our investment, which features 19 double deck ADL 400's, is great news for customers and colleagues in West Lothian and Edinburgh. We're committed to providing high quality services, ensuring our customers travel in modern, comfortable and fit for purpose vehicles.

All the new buses will feature the latest technology with free on board Wi-Fi and USB charging points, allowing customers to charge their phones and tablets on the move. They will also feature leather seats and will be fitted with CCTV.

Gospel Oak to Barking Line closes on 4th June 2016

A quick news update for rail enthusiasts and commuters; the Gospel Oak to Barking Line will be closed on 4th June for major upgrade work. This will mean the Class 172 Turbostar DMU’s (Diesel Multiple-Unit) will soon be replaced with the new Class 710 as part of the electrification upgrade.

From TFL press release

Customers and local residents are being reminded that major upgrade work to the London Overground route between Gospel Oak and Barking will result in a phased closure starting Saturday 4 June 2016, as part of Network Rail's Railway Upgrade Plan. In total an eight month closure of the railway is needed to carry out this vital work.

Update on Bus Services Bill and transport news roundup

I have a news update for everyone on the bus industry in Britain. To start us off, the Bus Services Bill has been published for the public to view.

From Route One

Bus Services Bill is published: Now the debating can start

The wait is finally over as the Bus Services Bill has been published.

The 88-page, 33,500 word bill was published late on Friday afternoon (20 May).

Android Pay accepted for Pay As You Go travel on London Transport

Recently, TFL have enabled Android Pay users to travel on London Transport services.

First we had Oyster cards back in 2003, then Contactless bank cards in 2014 (London Buses started early in late 2012), then in mid 2015 came Apple Pay and now Android Pay!

From TFL press release

Android Pay accepted for pay as you go travel in London

From today (18 May), customers can use Android Pay on their mobile phone to travel on TfL services, including the Tube, buses and trams, as well as most National Rail services in London, following its wider UK launch this morning.

London Mayor announces plans to clean up London’s toxic air

The new London Mayor has announced plans to combat diesel emissions in London, while Volvo announces their 1,000th Hybrid bus sale.

'One hour bus transfers' finally comes to London Buses

News just in, the new London Mayor will be launching a one hour ‘hopper’ transfer fare which will enable passengers to transfer to other buses in under 1 hour.

From Greater London Authority

Short New Routemaster ST812 enters service on route 91

A quick update on the short 3 door 2 staircase hybrid bus called the New Routemaster. The ST812 (Registration LTZ1812) has finally entered service on route 91 and according to London Vehicle Finder the bus first entered service on 9th May 2016.

Route 91 serves Crouch End, Holloway, King's Cross, Euston, Holborn, Aldwych and Trafalgar Square.

World’s first battery electric double deck bus enters service

I have a brief news update on the London Bus scene for you all:

The first double deck BYD K8SR electric bus BYD1473 (registration LJ16EZO), entered service on Thursday 5th May on route 98 (Russell Square to Willesden Gardens); it then operated the night service - N98 (Russell Square and Stanmore Station). The following day on Friday, the rest of the three BYD double deck electric buses entered service on route 98.

Reopening of Lea Bridge Station on 16th May 2016

Most of you won't know that on 16th May 2016, Lea Bridge Station is re-opening after 31 years of closure.

Here is the report:

From Waltham Forest Council

Leyton’s Lea Bridge Station is re-opening to passengers on 16 May 2016 after 31 years of closure.

The station will provide passengers with direct links to both Stratford and Tottenham Hale and journey times of five minutes apiece.

Stratford is the nearest high-speed station to central London, connecting to services going to Europe, and Tottenham Hale provides easy and fast connections to Stansted Airport, meaning the new station will open the western part of Waltham Forest up to further commercial opportunities in London and beyond.